Beautiful Relaxed Slipcover

I really love the look of this chair with a relaxed-fit slipcover. Maybe it would be easy to make but I'm not sure. The whole setting is quite lovely too. Don't you love the fabric choices for the chair and the pillow? photo found on Pinterest and traced back to here.

DIY Fabric Shoe Bag to Love

I found this photo in a box of magazine clippings I've been saving and I still love. Sorry, there were no instructions. I made a shoe storage bag without a pattern years and years ago. I made it the width and height of my closet door and it was wonderful. My mother ended up with it in her condo in Charlotte before she came to live with me, so it lived a long life. We gave it to one of her friends so it's still being used. If you have some fabric that makes your heart sing (yes, there are such things), this is a great project for you. This one was designed around the width of the clothes hanger. The one I made had metal eyelets across the top for nails and the fabric was folded over several times for reinforcement to hold the weight. The one above illustrates the creative uses you can come up with for your own needs, such as storing and saving seed envelopes. 

I found a youtube video with instructions https://youtu.be/30idKV4qZnk - there is a link within for illustrated step-by-step instructions.

Support Farmers

Buy local, eat local, and support your local farmers by way of their farm stands, their store near the farm, or local farmers markets. via 

I had fresh tricolor corn tonight and it was delicious. I cook mine in the microwave. I wrapped two ears (that had been shucked and silks removed) in waxed paper and microwaved for 6 minutes. It was perfect. I have a small countertop microwave, not a huge one. I started out with 4 minutes and that didn't seem enough. After 2 more minutes, it smelled right and it was. The ears were pretty big. Try it, you'll like it!!!

My Vintage Singer Sewing Machine

I posted these two pictures on Instagram today because so many people wanted to know what sewing machine I was using. The decal on the front says it was manufactured in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Don't you love things that were made in the USA back when things were made to last instead of being thrown away? I believe the term is "planned obsolescence" and I don't like it one bit. I still prefer having things repaired whenever possible.

The instruction booklet says the Slant-O-Matic was the greatest sewing machine ever built! And I would have to agree. I can remember my mother saving up S&H Green Stamps for her first electric Singer. That's the only brand we ever had. We had an old treadle machine too and I loved sewing on it as a child. The next page of this booklet says ©1961. I think I bought mine a little later than that but it was still the most current model at the time. It is all metal construction and is not computerized. The decorative stitches are all gear driven. It is nicknamed The Rocketeer because of its futuristic mid-century modern design. I guess it would be called Retro now.

I have this Olive Oyl cartoon saved on my phone. I love texting it back when I receive a text that is worthy of this response.

Amazing Artwork by Ellen Hooverkamp

I could spend the day looking at all of Ellen Hooverkamp's artwork. She arranges flowers and vegetables on a SCANNER and digitizes them for printing. Click here for more in this series called Edibles 1. "The subjects for these photos were sustainably grown and raised by local growers. Special thanks to the good folks at the Dudley Farm Market and to Trout Lily Farm, both in Guilford, CT."

Meet the artist and see other categories of her art and her book, pictured below, HERE. You're welcome. xo

This is the photo I found online somewhere that led me to Ellen.

Shaker Kitchen in UK Showroom

Here is a larger view of the kitchen I posted yesterday while wishing I had more photos of the room. Presto, my wish was granted! One of my readers and followers found a link! Thank you so much, Leslie. This kitchen is in a deVOL showroom in England and all the bespoke elements are swoon worthy. Click to see other views of The Loft Kitchen. 

Flower Girl

I simply adore this garden woman.

“The Gardener” 2002 Poster Art Print by Lizzie Riches

Rolling Garden Bench in Pea Green

One of my most popular posts ever was on a rolling garden bench I have in one of my out of print English gardening books. See the post here. This one above with the slats is nice too and I like the paint color from England. 

But this rolling bench remains as 'The Garden Bench of My Dreams'.

Fish with Designer Outfit

No designer could ever make a gown this beautiful though many have tried! via By Thai photographer Visarute Angkatavanich.

Perfection: Garage / Guest House

I love this structure except for the garage doors as I would be using it as a home. I must save this photo as a favorite architectural design. Do you love it too? I hope you are as warm and cozy today as this dwelling looks. I am always partial to all the lights being on at twilight, especially if there is snow on the ground. xo via Instagram

Calligraphy Snowman

Walking in a Winter Wonderland via

Christmas Cookies as Art

Christmas Cookies on a Cooling Rack.

Simply beautiful.

via

Gorgeous Entry Gate

This gate is truly beautiful and is perfect for the brick path and pillars. A fine woodworker executed a gorgeous design. via

English Decoration: the book

I know how much most of you love authentic English decor with rooms that have evolved over the years. Tour 18 quintessentially English homes in this new book here. You will love what you see. Have a great July 4th. xo

Great Art Studio / Home Office

Wonderful Space. How nice to have such a large, cheery room in which to work. The rest of the house must be amazing. Happy Friday! via

Tulips and More Tulips

Great article with more photos: Tulip Time in London

Needlework Landscape Design

Gardening with a needle.

I really love this garden design.

via

Thoughts on A Play Room Looking to the Future

Good idea. via I have a friend who can attest to this rule. The family put in a state of the art play room in the basement of their new home for their four young children and they never wanted to go down there to play. It was too far from the large country kitchen that was the real heart of the house. It wasn't until the children became teens and tweens that they ventured down there. When they were young, they wanted to be around the parents. As they got older, they wanted to get away from them. Smile. Such is life!

Amazing Library

That decorative plasterwork!

Those fine bindings and antique furnishings.

Love it all!

via

Unique Door Wreath

Looking for something different to decorate your door? Click here to see seven (7) unique and very imaginative wreaths.